Decadent Cherry Swirl Brownies
Indulge in the rich, fudgy layers of these Decadent Cherry Swirl Brownies that are sure to impress your friends and family. Each bite offers a luscious chocolate brownie merging perfectly with a creamy cherry filling, creating a delightful marbled effect that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or as a sweet treat any day of the week, these brownies are so irresistible that you may find yourself making a double batch to ensure there are enough to go around! Don't let their appearance fool you; they're surprisingly simple to make, and the combination of flavors will have everyone raving long after the last crumb has disappeared.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Cocoa Powder
1/3 cup
Eggs
2
Sugar
1 cup
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon
All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup
Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Cream Cheese
3 ounces (softened)
Sugar
1/4 cup
Egg
1
Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon
Almond Extract
1/4 teaspoon
Maraschino Cherries
1/3 cup (chopped, well drained)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
2
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and cocoa powder, mixing until well blended. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
3
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until foamy, then gradually add 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, beating until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the egg mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
5
Add the cocoa mixture to the brownie batter and stir until well combined. Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
6
In a separate small bowl, prepare the Cherry Cream Filling by beating 3 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
7
Add 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract to the cream cheese mixture, beating well. Stir in the well-drained, chopped maraschino cherries.
8
Spread the cherry cream filling over the layer of chocolate batter in the pan.
9
Scoop spoonfuls of the remaining chocolate batter over the cherry filling. Using a knife or spatula, gently swirl the chocolate batter into the filling to create a marbled effect.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
11
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. For optimal freshness, cover and refrigerate any leftovers, allowing them to come to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Cherry Swirl Brownies?
They are rich, fudgy chocolate brownies layered with a creamy cherry and cream cheese filling, featuring a beautiful marbled effect.
What is the ideal oven temperature for baking these brownies?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for the best results.
What size pan is recommended for this recipe?
A 9-inch square baking pan is recommended.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
You should grease the pan with butter or a cooking spray before adding the batter.
How many eggs are needed for the entire recipe?
You will need a total of three eggs: two for the brownie batter and one for the cherry cream filling.
What ingredients make up the brownie batter?
The batter consists of melted butter, cocoa powder, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
What is in the Cherry Cream Filling?
The filling is made from softened cream cheese, sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and chopped maraschino cherries.
How do I create the marbled swirl effect?
Scoop the remaining chocolate batter over the cherry filling and use a knife or spatula to gently swirl the two layers together.
How long do the brownies need to bake?
They typically bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
How can I tell if the brownies are done?
They are done when they start to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Do I need to drain the maraschino cherries?
Yes, the cherries should be well-drained and chopped before being added to the filling.
What type of extract is used besides vanilla?
Almond extract is used in the cherry filling to enhance the cherry flavor.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The butter for the brownie batter should be melted and then allowed to cool slightly.
What is the best way to store leftovers?
Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated to maintain freshness.
Should I serve these brownies cold?
While they are stored in the fridge, it is recommended to allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Can I use an electric mixer for this recipe?
Yes, an electric mixer is specifically recommended for beating the cream cheese and sugar for the filling until smooth.
What texture can I expect from these brownies?
They have a fudgy chocolate texture combined with a creamy, smooth cherry cheesecake-like swirl.
How much cream cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 3 ounces of softened cream cheese.
Is there baking powder in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder is included in the dry ingredients.
Can I cut the brownies immediately after baking?
No, you should allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
How much cocoa powder is used?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of cocoa powder.
What kind of flour is best for these brownies?
All-purpose flour is the standard choice for this recipe.
How much sugar is in the brownie base?
The brownie base uses 1 cup of sugar, while the filling uses an additional 1/4 cup.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, despite their impressive appearance, they are described as surprisingly simple to prepare.
What occasions are these brownies good for?
They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or as a special sweet treat for any day of the week.
Why should I beat the eggs until foamy?
Beating the eggs until foamy helps create a smooth and creamy consistency when the sugar and vanilla are added.
How much maraschino cherry goes into the filling?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chopped maraschino cherries.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, the description suggests making a double batch because they are so irresistible.
Does the recipe use salt?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is used to balance the sweetness of the chocolate and cherries.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ones?
The dry mixture should be added gradually to the egg mixture, stirring until fully incorporated before adding the cocoa mixture.